BuckeyeXtra - OSU notebook: Heyward says he's in no hurry to leave

Dispatch OSU football beat writer Tim May answers your questions Friday at noon about the Buckeyes, Big Ten and college football in general.

[OSU73]

I would like to see Cam Heyword stay for his senior year... all the returning seniors for that matter. On paper the team looks to have great potential... and our 2010 recruiting class still has to fill out with a couple more 5 star recruits I hope. We need Heyward for the Miami (FL) game early next season not to mention the improvement expected from the other Big Ten teams.

I've heard that Tressel advises his player that project in the first round or high in the second round of the NFL draft to sign and secure their financial future... don't really know if that's true or not but you can't really blame the players if they decide to take the money and run (no pun intended).

[carolina fan]

IF THIS GROUP OF PLAYERS CONTINUE TO BOND AS A TEAM,LIMIT MISTAKES PLAY EVERY PLAY TO THE END OF THE GAME THEY HAVE THE TALENT TO BE
GREAT THE NEXT FEW YEARS.MAKE YOURSELF PROUD;

[Dannawally]

What?! Nobody on the team complained about how much money Nike was going to make on throwbacks?!! Amazing.

[Toledo Guy]

Dan, people are complaining in the next article about the uniforms. Heyward is the subject of this article.

[OkieBuck]

No question Heyward is a stud but he'd be at best, the third D-Lineman in the next draft. The guys from Alabama, Nebraska and TCU are all rated higher so stick around for another year, go for the title and you WILL be the 1st D-Lineman in 2011 draft with a larger paycheck.

[Al in Tampa]

I'm so tired of these kind of stories, we see them every year. With the spectre of a career ending injury on every snap of the ball, no one with any common sense is going to turn down NFL $$$ and the opportunity to play professional football.

Yes, Hayward is a great team mate for not wanting to discuss the future while the Buckeyes are in the hunt for a Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. But c'mon, if you believe that the kid has made the decision to stay for his senior year, I have a space at the City Center mall that I will sell you real cheap!!!

[Karl]

Of course I'd love to have him and all the juniors back. I've always looked at 2009 as building towards 2010 and 2011, similar to Florida in 2007 building to 2008 and 2009. We need every veteran we can have for the full potential to be fulfilled.

That aside, if he's a mid-to-high first rounder, I guess he should go. Why Brian Hartline left to be a 4th rounder I have no idea, as one example. The offense certainly could have used him too.

If a player isn't expected to be a high pick, top 15 or 20 at least, I would always advise them to stay in school.

[kenmore]

Hey Al, maybe Mr. Heyward is a little more set in his finances. His pops is an ex NFL player and every college athlete does'nt have an extended family to care for.

[Toledo Guy]

Many kids have come out and said they will stay before the end of the season in the past. Come February after the bowl game, the leave for the NFL. Maybe Cameron will stay mayybe he won't. Don't be mad if he changes his mind in a few months. Gibson could go also.

[whipsaw jones]

Projecting into next year, osu could be dynamite. Having Heyward would make that possible.

This current young team should improve on offense and again be dominant on defense.

Look out in 2010.

[Bryan Richards]

Say what you want about Tressel and his offense, but if a coach is graded soley on the charachter of the men that go through his system there is no one better.

From Heyward and Pryor dedicating their efforts to the upper classman, to Posey recognizing that being favored against Iowa means nothing, these guys all have their heads right... all thanks to Coach T.

[DAVEG]

Our Dline seems to be our strength but we have the same level of talent at RB and WR so we should be making plays on both sides of the ball. If Pryor can relize his ability by working with our talent then we should be able score at will...think of our National Championship team a few years ago with less talent and you can see the potential.

[ostater7362]

STOP THINKIN WITH UR DIPSTICK JIMMY

It dosn't matter who comes who goes Col football is going the way of all sports period. And that is greed greed greed except for Timmy Tebow.His continuity has netted them 2 maybe 3 NC. As all players go 2 and out Jim is going to have to change his tune and keep a solid 3yr squad to win the NC. Maybe with Pryor being so inconsistant will turn into a blessing. Peaking him @ the begining of his SR Yr.

[AZ buckeye]

Al in Tampa wrote:

I'm so tired of these kind of stories, we see them every year. With the spectre of a career ending injury on every snap of the ball, no one with any common sense is going to turn down NFL $$$ and the opportunity to play professional football.
Yes, Hayward is a great team mate for not wanting to discuss the future while the Buckeyes are in the hunt for a Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. But c'mon, if you believe that the kid has made the decision to stay for his senior year, I have a space at the City Center mall that I will sell you real cheap!!!

I don't think this general statement holds true for all players and situations. Beanie said he wanted to stay but obviously left for financial/family/injury reasons. For more injury prone positions like QB's and runningbacks, I wouldn't think you'd have much of a choice but to take the money and run (as Sam Bradford is probably now realizing).

It seems like defensive players and O-linemen tend to return for senior seasons more often. They aren't as much as a numbers/stats position.

It also doesn't hurt that the Buckeyes are improving. The team believing they could compete for the national title next year could influence a senior season as well (let's hope there isn't a bowl game blowout).

Hayward having had a father in the NFL might realize that he only gets one college career (and shot at a national title), so maybe he can wait one more year to by a Lambo.

[AL Buck]

To DAVEG,
I hate the kind of fan you are, this team will grow, Pryor will grow, the Oline will grow, but if you where under the assumption that they should be GROWN it must be the first year of college football for you. They are now just figuring out what they are, next year they should be good. Fans of this nature never are going to be pleased. Tressel keep on playing your game and TP and the O keep learning we will be great.

[Paul Kostival]

Why is the Dispatch recycling articles from yesterday into a different format? This is the third time I read the Heyward article. How about writing new material on a daily basis?

[brutus]

Cameron doesn't need the money. His dad has plenty of it. Cam should stay and enjoy his senior year. I wouldn't doubt that he already bought a million dollar insurance policy in case his son gets hurt.

[Matt-Cincy]

Bucks looking good, gotta love our chances to win against Iowa, and winning a Rose Bowl. Next year looks good too, with most of this team coming back. We will be tested early again, rematch with Miami will be fun.

[BuckeyeZman]

brutus wrote:

Cameron doesn't need the money. His dad has plenty of it. Cam should stay and enjoy his senior year. I wouldn't doubt that he already bought a million dollar insurance policy in case his son gets hurt.

By the way.... I believe his dad passed away a few years ago! Kind of sad that he did get to see his kid play for the Buckeyes.

[Uncle Buckeye]

Ya know, there are things in life more important than money. Try not to be so cynical. There are those that respect and appreciate the camaraderie achieved by a team environment. I coached youth football for almost twenty years and one thing I emphasized, no preached, was "TEAM"! Unfortunately since the demise of conscription too many are left with no understanding of the esprit de corps felt by a "team". Perhaps Mr. Hayward really does understand and appreciate this feeling.